78 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



cases of active fermentation and decomposition of the alimentary 

 matters in tlie intestines. It is always rich in phosphates, while 

 these salts are almost always absent in normal urine. Its reaction 

 becomes almost always neutral or even acid. 



Depending upon numerous observations, Frohner has established 

 the fact that in herbivora the urine is acid only in inflammatory 

 diseases of the gastro-intestinal canal when not in a state of inani- 

 tion. Febrile diseases, even those of long duration, do not impair 

 its alkaline reaction if the animals continue to eat and it is not 

 complicated by gastro-intestinal catarrh. We have many times 

 had occasion to confirm the exactness of these observations. The 

 stated opinions of Hofmeister and Siedamgrotzky,^ that the acid 

 reaction is noticed after a long abstinence in intestinal catarrhs 

 and in all the other cases of intense fever, is not cod firmed by facts. 



Various hypotheses have been advanced coucerning the acidity 

 of urine in herbivora. Frohner, depending upon the fact that the 

 absorbing activity of the intestinal mucous membrane is modified 

 when affected by inflammatory trouble, and that the phosphatic 

 salts alone continue to be absorbed by this membrane, has ascribed 

 the acidity of the urine to its greater richness in phosphates. Tereg 

 thinks that the acids existing in the contents of the intestine affected 

 by catarrh act upon the earthy insoluble phosphates, rendering them 

 soluble and consequently absorbable. Finally, Siedamgrotzky and 

 Hofmeister admit that the expulsion of phosphates by urine is more 

 abundant because the diseased digestive glands eliminate them in 

 smaller quantities. 



Course and duration. When the catarrh is slight and accom- 

 panied by a weak febrile reaction it generally ends in a cure. This 

 will take place mostly within a few days ; it is rarely delayed more 

 than six or eight. The fever disappears little by little, appetite 

 returns, alvine evacuations are less frequent, and the scybala gradu- 

 ally become of firmer consistence. A slight constipation usually 

 follows diarrhea. The return of the urine to an alkaline reaction 

 is a favorable sign, even when still rich in phosphates (basic phos- 

 phate of lime). 



But when the causes of the disease persists there is either a slight 

 gradual attenuation of the catarrh, which passes into a chronic 

 form, or it becomes complicated. In the latter case fever increases ; 



Ï Hofmeister and Siedamgrotzky : Mikroskopischen u. chemischen Diagnostik, 1884. 



